Event detection system with dialer intercept

Abstract

A dialer intercept module is provided in an event detection system for automatically selecting between alternative communication channels and formats based on detected characteristics of control panel signals. More specific features detect predetermined signals, such as the telephone number dialed by the panel, or the type of alarm, and determine from the predetermined signals whether to: a) send the signal as is, over a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN); or, b) translate the signal into a different format suitable for an alternative channel, such as a wide area computer network.

We claim: 
     
       1. A dialer intercept module selecting between a plurality of channels for communications between an event reporting panel and a remote station; said module comprising: a detector detecting signals from said alarm panel; and,   a channel selector: a) selecting a respective channel from said plurality of channels based on said detected signals; and, b) directing said communications over said selected channel.   
     
     
       2. The invention of claim 1, wherein one of said channels is a publicly switched telephone network and another of said channels is an electronic data network. 
     
     
       3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said detected signals include a telephone number dialed by said alarm panel. 
     
     
       4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said detected signals identify an alternative alarm type selected from a fire alarm type and a non-fire alarm type. 
     
     
       5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said detected signals include logic levels transmitted by said panel. 
     
     
       6. The invention of claim 1, wherein said communications from said panel have a panel format and said module selects between: a) intercepting said communications and transmitting said communications in a format different from said panel format or b) not intercepting said communications. 
     
     
       7. The invention of claim 6, wherein said transmission is over a digital network. 
     
     
       8. The invention of claim 1, wherein said channel selector responds to signals from said remote station to override said selection. 
     
     
       9. A communications module for use with an event reporting panel, the panel including an interface for dialing a number and transmitting data over a telephone network to a station identified by said number, the communications module comprising: a detector detecting predetermined signals from said panel;   a channel selector selecting between an intercepting mode and a non-intercepting mode based on said detected signals; and,   a reformatting mechanism reformatting said transmitted data in said intercepting mode.   
     
     
       10. The invention of claim 9, wherein said reformatting mechanism, in said intercepting mode, translates between one format suitable for digital network communications and another format suitable for publicly switched telephone network communications. 
     
     
       11. A dialer intercept module for use with a event reporting control alarm panel, the alarm panel including a device for communicating in a panel communications format with a remote station, the intercept module comprising: a detector coupled to said panel and detecting predetermined signals from said panel; and,   a format converter for translating said panel communications format into alternative communications formats based on said detected signals.   
     
     
       12. The invention of claim 11, wherein said panel communications format includes a packet structure and said module: a) leaves said communications in said packet structure of said panel; or, b) translates said communications into a different packet structure, depending on said predetermined signals from said panel. 
     
     
       13. The invention of claim 11, wherein said panel communications format includes a panel protocol and said module: a) leaves said communications in said panel protocol; or, b) translates said communications into a different protocol, depending on said predetermined signals from said panel. 
     
     
       14. The invention of claim 11, wherein said predetermined signals include said dialed number. 
     
     
       15. The invention of claim 11, wherein said predetermined signals identify an alternative alarm type. 
     
     
       16. The invention of claim 11, wherein said predetermined signals represent a logic level in said alarm panel. 
     
     
       17. The invention of claim 11, wherein said module selects between: a) retransmitting said panel communications in a format different from said panel communications format; or, b) passing said panel communications in said panel communications format. 
     
     
       18. The invention of claim 17, wherein said module responds to signals from said remote station to override said selection. 
     
     
       19. A communications intercept module for use with an event detection system, the system including a device for generating signals and transmitting alarm data, to a remote station; said module comprising: a detector for determining information from said signals;   a mode selector for selecting between a first mode and a second mode, depending on said detected information; and,   a reformatting mechanism reformatting said data in said first mode and passing said data without reformatting in said second mode.   
     
     
       20. The invention of claim 19, wherein said detected information includes a telephone number dialed by said system. 
     
     
       21. The invention of claim 19, wherein said signals identify an alternative alarm type selected from a fire alarm type and a non-fire alarm type, and wherein said information includes said identified alarm type. 
     
     
       22. The invention of claim 19, wherein said information includes logic levels in said signals from said system. 
     
     
       23. A dialer intercept module selecting between a plurality of channels for communications between an alarm panel and a monitoring station; said module comprising: a detector detecting characteristics of said signals from said panel;   a channel selector: a) selecting one or more channel from said plurality of channels based on said detected characteristics; and, b) directing said communications over said selected channels.   
     
     
       24. A dialer intercept module for use with a alarm panel, the alarm panel including a device for dialing a number and transmitting alarm data to a remote station identified by said number, the intercept module comprising: a detector detecting characteristics of said data; and,   a data converter changing said data based on said detected characteristics.